Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
